CHANGE THE STORYTELLERS,
CHANGE THE WORLD.
Media shapes culture. To build an equitable future, we need diverse, anti-racist voices in media.
At BAYCAT, a nonprofit media production company and academy based in San Francisco, we’re committed to being the premier anti-racist creative career pathway, changing the storytellers to help create a more just world.
The Industry Gap
40% of the US population are people of color. 12.6% of film directors are people of color.
Most young creatives and storytellers of color can't afford expensive schools or costly professional software.
50% of the US population are women. 11.5% of advertising creative directors are women.
The majority of young adults of color and women have no access to mentors and don’t know anyone in the industry.
Sources: Hollywood Diversity Report 2019 and The 3% Movement
The BAYCAT Solution: Leading Anti-Racist Change in Media and Creative Industries
We’ve built a pathway from education to job placement in media and creative industries for people of color and women, dedicated to dismantling systemic racism. Our students gain access to cutting-edge technology, mentorship, professional coaching, and networking opportunities, building bridges to transform the industry through diverse and anti-racist storytelling.
At BAYCAT Academy, we provide free digital media education to low-income youth of color and young women, ages 11-17, through afterschool programs and summer sessions.
Through BAYCAT Studio, we train, mentor, and employ diverse young adults, ages 18-25, and help them secure job placements with leading companies and organizations.
BAYCAT Studio is the Bay Area’s go-to team of storytellers, creating authentic media with lasting social impact. As the professional arm of BAYCAT, we’ve crafted meaningful, socially driven stories for globally recognized clients like the Golden State Warriors, National Park Service, Salesforce, Pixar, UCSF, and more.
From Bayview kid to Emmy® winner:
The story of Iman Rodney
AT 13
Iman joins BAYCAT Academy, our free program for youth 11 to 17 years old. He will come back every semester for the next four years.
AT 19
Iman drops out of college and works at Trader Joe's to help support his family.
BAYCAT Studio hires him part-time to work on a documentary, an opportunity for him to figure out whether his dream to be a filmmaker could become a reality.
AT 20
After his positive experience with BAYCAT Studio, Iman decides to give it a go and joins our paid Internship program for young adults ages 18-25.
AT 21
Iman is hired by the SF Giants’ broadcast team as an intern.
AT 23
The SF Giants offer him a full-time position as a videographer. His dream comes true, but it's only the beginning. He works hard and a year later, he’s promoted to cinematographer.
AT 25
Iman wins his first Emmy for “We Are Giants,” becoming the first BAYCAT graduate to do so. The following year, he’ll win not one, but two, Emmys.
At 13, becoming a professional filmmaker felt like a pipe dream to Iman. But the experiences and opportunities he gained through BAYCAT Academy and BAYCAT Studio prepared him to seize the opportunity of a lifetime.